Accused killer Oscar Morel is now “very hopeful” that he will be exonerated, lawyer Michael Schwed said following the brief appearance before Queens Supreme Court Justice Gregory Lasak.

The 36-year-old remains charged with first-degree murder for the execution-style slayings of Imam Maulana Akonjee, 55, and aide Thara Uddin, 64, in August.

“There is a positive development for him,” the defense attorney said. “I think [the authorities] maneuvered evidence to make the case strong enough to make an arrest because there is a lot of pressure to be an arrest in a case like this.”

Schwed added he felt suspiciously about the way the gun was handled, and says crime scene photos don’t corroborate what he’s been told about the weapon’s discovery.

Morel appeared somber during the appearance, clad in prison duds and with his hands shackled behind his back. He has previously claimed he couldn’t possibly be responsible for the fatal shooting, citing a police sketch depicting the suspect in glasses–because he wears contacts.

Prosecutors handed over surveillance footage Tuesday, which allegedly shows Morel fleeing the scene. Schwed also requested that the court release the name of a witness who failed to identify his client during a line-up.